About Stephanie F. Harrold, LMA (Licensed Medical Aesthetician)

As Director of Aesthetics for The Skin Spa at The Bressler Center, Stephanie Harrold works closely with plastic surgeon Dr. Fred Bressler to provide exceptional non-invasive procedures and skin care for pre- and post-operative surgery patients. Stephanie also consults with patients who, under Dr. Bressler’s advice, are candidates for skin rejuvenation but not ready for cosmetic surgery.

Stephanie is highly trained and experienced in a variety of skin-care procedures provided at The Bressler Center, including laser skin rejuvenation (FotoFacials), skin tightening (ReFirme), wrinkle reduction (Matrix IR), laser hair removal, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, dermaplaning and therapeutic facials.

Stephanie is a licensed aesthetician and a licensed cosmetologist in the State of Texas. She is certified in a variety of aesthetic treatments and procedures, including treatments for cellulite, hair removal, Obagi, chemical peels and more. She has also received in-service training and certification for the eMax Laser by Syneron, the Matrix IR Laser and the elōs System.

For more about Stephanie Harrold, read the interview below or select her CV.

An interview with Stephanie

Tell us a little about yourself.

First of all, I am delighted to have joined Dr. Bressler and everyone here at The Bressler Center. The practice has an outstanding reputation, and I am very proud to be part of the team.

Before joining The Bressler Center, I was the director of a Medical Spa in San Antonio. However, I am proud to say that as a native Houstonian, I am pleased to be back in my hometown. In addition, the chance to work in such an established practice and to be in The Texas Medical Center made this opportunity irresistible.

How does your previous experience and training apply at The Bressler Center?

If ever there was a perfect fit for me, this is it. I have the utmost respect for every member of this team and I bring experience working with all the latest in the skin-care field.

I was certified as an aesthetician in 1993. Since that time, I have continued to study and have earned certification on an assortment of lasers. As well, I have extensive training when it comes to treatments and procedures, including chemical peels, hair removal, and more.

It seems that the more I know and the more I study, the more I want to continue to learn. The field of medical aesthetics is one of the most dynamic, changing areas today and I continue to take courses, advancing my knowledge – and my abilities – to help individuals who are looking for beautiful skin.

You mention experience with a variety of lasers. Are you familiar with the Syneron?

Yes, I am very familiar with the Syneron™ e-Max laser and I believe it is undoubtedly one of the best ever. Not only have I been trained extensively on Syneron, but I have also had five years of actual, hands-on experience with it. I have worked, and been trained on, other lasers, but there is no comparison – this is the one.

The Syneron e-Max laser can be used for skin tightening, for skin rejuvenation, for wrinkle reduction. It is effectively used to remove hair, treat leg veins and even help with clearance of acne.

What makes Syneron so effective?

This is state-of-the-art equipment. I know that many people throw that phrase around, but in this instance, it’s very applicable. The patented elōs™ Technology of the Syneron laser uses bi-polar radio frequency and light to produce highly effective treatment for patients. Older lasers and less sophisticated lasers can cause dermal damage.

With the Syneron and a thorough medical history of the skin, this laser can be so helpful in a person’s quest for smooth, youthful looking skin. I have had outstanding results on all types of individuals. Whether a person is looking to maintain his/her healthy appearance or a person who has started the aging process and has previously ignored skin care, I find this laser can help.

I have used Syneron since 2004 and I know how skin will react and begin to improve. For sun damage such as brown spots and the like, a Photo Facial™ treatment produces the desired results.

For superficial wrinkles, crow’s feet and other similar aging problems, I know ReFirme™ is the right choice. Both teach the body to heal itself and begin to produce collagen.

When individuals turn to you for help and advice, do they generally know what type of treatment they need? How does a person know whether to ask for microdermabrasion, Photo Facial, laser or any type of treatment?

That’s where I come in. I know skin and I know what will be effective and helpful and what will not. With each new person who comes in to The Bressler Center, I start with a thorough assessment. Generally, I use the Fitzpatrick Skin Typing Test where I investigate factors that influence skin type before I recommend treatment. Together, the individual and I discuss genetics, tanning, sun exposure and more. I also discover if a person has had previous laser treatments and if any have been successful.

Not only do I investigate skin type, but also I do a custom mapping of the person’s face based on texture, bones and such. Then, we discuss issues, plans, complaints.

With this input, I am able to design a treatment plan and see what’s needed and where. A patient doesn't’t always know what will work best.

For instance, the other day, a new client came in and said she wanted a photofacial. She had heard from a friend that it was effective and thought it would be good for her. After our discussion and my evaluation, I told her what would really be best for her would be a skin tightening treatment.

After we talked and discussed which laser treatment would give her the results she wanted, we decided on a combination of the two. I used FotoFacial RF to address the problem of a few broken capillaries around the nose and ReFirme for skin tightening. She was thrilled with the results.

So, bottom line: patients look to the professionals at The Bressler Center for guidance. We know the treatments and the expected results and we will recommend what will be best.

How do you interact with Dr. Bressler?

At The Bressler Center, every person who comes in for a cosmetic surgery consultation with Dr. Bressler receives a complimentary skin-care consultation and possibly, an initial treatment. The way I see it, Dr. Bressler improves the structure and volume of the face while I treat the surface. After surgery, I want patients to protect the investment they have made in their faces and maintain beautiful skin to complement their surgical results.

Conversely, I will sometimes advise patients that the result they want will not be accomplished with a wrinkle reduction treatment, or skin tightening, but rather, I recommend that patient visit with Dr. Bressler about a possible eye lift, face lift or other surgery.

This is the advantage of getting treatment at a skin spa where the plastic surgeon is on site. Dr. Bressler is available to answer questions, address concerns and make surgical recommendations.

With the heat and humidity in Houston and the Gulf Coast, many individuals suffer with rosacea. What kinds of treatment do you recommend for this condition?

Rosacea is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that principally affects the face. The condition is characterized by facial redness with small, red, pus-filled bumps. Rosacea worsens with time if left untreated.

It’s interesting that this problem is often mistaken for acne or a skin allergy. And, in fact, I have seen several individuals recently who have come in and didn't’t know they had rosacea.

Generally, I will start individuals with rosacea on a medical skin-care regimen at home with Obagi Rosa Clear for four to six weeks. Then, I treat the person’s skin with FotoFacial RF. As long as the individual keeps up the maintenance, this works quite well and flare ups are pretty much eliminated.

You mentioned that you are a native Houstonian. Outside of the office, where do your interests lie?

I am one of those individuals who are always busy, learning, playing. I love all things creative – oil painting, drawing, restoring art, interior design.